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Single-lever ball-type faucets are common on kitchen sinks. When repairing a ball-type faucet, buy an entire repair kit that includes O-rings, a new ball, valve seats and springs, and the special little cam tool you'll need to loosen the faucet cam. It's always a good idea to remove the old faucet ball first so you can take it with you when you buy replacement parts.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

SKILL SCALE
Easy

TIME REQUIRED
You can repair a ball-type faucet in less than one hour.

TOOLS
Screwdrivers
Slip joint pliers
Cam tool (included with repair kit)
Utility knife

MATERIALS
Heatproof grease
Repair kit

First, turn off the water supply at the shutoff valves. Then loosen the handle setscrew and remove the handle. Underneath you'll find the faucet cap. Remove the cap with water-pump pliers. It's a good idea to wrap the pliers' jaws with masking tape or cloth to protect the cap from scratches or gouges.

 

 

Using the special cam tool included in the faucet repair kit, loosen the faucet cam.

 

 

 

 

Lift out the faucet cam, the cam washer, and the rotating ball.

 

 

 

 

Reach into the faucet with a screwdriver and gently remove the springs and the neoprene valve seats. Remove the spout by twisting it upward.

 

 

 

 

Use a utility knife to cut off the old O-rings. Coat the new O-rings with heatproof grease and install them around the sides of the faucet cylinder. Reattach the spout, pressing it downward until the collar rests on the plastic slip ring. Install the new springs and valve seats.

 

 

 

Insert the new ball, cam washer, and cam. The small lug on the cam should fit into the notch on the faucet body. Screw the cap onto the faucet and attach the handle. Turn water back on.

 

 

 

 

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